Reinforced heavy duty fiber box



E. J. CREEK REINFORCED HEAVY DUTY FIBER BOX April 8, 1941.

Filed sept. 27, 1937 [KA/57 Jof//v EZ;

ATTORNEYS.

l I I I l l I l l l I l l I l DA. ll/. O 00 a. 0 .T r/J wm l- /||||||||||n|||||v l-: m :|11 5 il-: I Z Z -}|I----1-I.. {||i|l/.|| f MT E 0 H ff. L. .Z n L 5 u H Il f E H H .M/ 7H I a 4 V n V II l 5 5 4 n l l l l l I l 5 5b 4 7 5 a wu E 5 5 5 5 5 Z /I 0 2J W00 dw :Aw Mw E l l I I Il 5 Hf. 4 C 0 n. #a 3 C d Y E. M 1V L I- T H1 -Il l I E.. M 0h Cll T a! A 0/0 a 5 HL j @1 z m n Patented Apr. 8, 1941 REINFORCED HEAVY DUTY FIBER BOX Ernest John Creek, Marion, Ind., assignor to ,In-

diana Fibre Products Company, Marion, Ind., a

corporation Application september 27, 1937, serial No. 165,950

(ci. 22e- 27) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a paper board box structure which may be of solid fiber board or of corrugated p-aper board type as desired.

The chief object of this invention is -to provide in a box structure which may be shipped substantially iiat and readily assembled and secured in box formation by the user thereof, a reinforcing end or side wall having a stiffening corrugation therein which when assocated with an apertured arrangement in order to provide reinforcement, provides a nger contact for the hand insertable in the aperture.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a multi-cell paper board box structure, a cover arrangement which is of non-interfering character with respect to the contents contained Within the box and which non-interference is obtained by having the cover of split formation or divided formation and the division being of non-median character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box in which a pair of opposite walls include lateral extensions, portions of which parallel theA intermediate walls and other portions of which extend through the last-mentioned intermediate Walls for partition purposes.

The chief feature of the invention consists in forming the box whereby all of the foregoing objects are accomplished.

Other objects vand features of the invention will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention Willbe understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims:

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a plan View of the main blank included in the box.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the box in assembled relation, the two cover portions being shown in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of one of the reinforcing end members.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view thereof.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of the partition members.

Fig. 6 is an elevational View of another and transversely positioned partition member.

Reference will be had initially to Figs. l and 2 of the drawing in which I0 indicates the box bottom forming portion, II the two end-forining portions hingedly connected thereto as at I2 by a score or crease. The two side portions I3 are similarly formed integral with the bottom portion IU and hingedly connected thereto by a score or crease I4.

Integral with each side portion is a partial cover portion I5a and lib connected to the supporting side portion by a hingle-forming score orcrease IS. Each cover portion has a locking flap extension I1 integral therewith and hingedly connected thereto by the score or crease i8. Herein the partial cover portion I5b is illustrated as provided with a finger hole I9, the purpose of which will be set forth more fully hereinafter, it being understood this hole is formed by a cutting and the portion I9a is hingedly connected to the portion I5b by the score or hinge crease ISI). In this way the nger hole I9 is normally closed until such time as it is desired to have the same opened for opening of the cover.

Integral with each side of each end portion is a flap or lateral extension designatedA by the numeral 23 which is hingedly connected to the end at the side edge thereof by the score or crease 24. One edge, and preferably Athe upper edge of this extension, is materially relieved and if desired, the bottom edge of this extension may similarly be relieved. The upper relief is indicated by the numeral 25a and the lower relief by the numeral 25h.

The free end portion indicated by the numeral 23a includes a plurality of slots 3| in spaced relation and suitably relieved at the entrance as at Sla. The end of the extension is tapered as at 23h and this tapering is at the upper portion. The lower portion includes the depending tongue 23o, which is adapted to bear upon the bottom I0 of the box. The extension is scored or creased parallel to the score `o r crease 24 as at 28 and a plurality of additional scores 3i may be provided to facilitate further operation therewith, as hereinafter set forth.

The side wall I3 immediately adjacent the extensions 23, is provided with a pair of slits 2li. These preferably have a width and length corresponding to the thickness ofthe extension 23 and the height of the reduced portion 23a. The score or crease 28 is positioned with respect to the score or crease 24 a distance substantially equal to the distance the slit 26 is positioned from the adjacent side edge of the side wall I3. i

Each end Il of the box is suitably apertured as at 52. There is provided a reinforcing end member herein designated by the numeral 54, which includes an opening 55 therein, and the material 55a forming said opening is hingedly connected as at 55h to the main portion 54. This provides a light-shield arrangement'for the handhole opening 55. Y

The end 54 includes an inwardly projecting portion, as it were, having a V-shaped crosssection and comprising an inwardly and upwardly directed portion 55, and an upwardly and outwardly directed portion l. The length of these two portions are the same. The widths, however, are not Iso that the area of the lower portion is greater than the area of the upper portion. This constitutes a stiffening reinforcement when the member 54 is suitably mounted in the box.

The upper portion 58 is in alignment with the lower portion 54 and hingedly connected to the upper edge of the portion 58 as at 59 is a flap extension Si] having the slot 6I therein. This slot or notch, it will be` observed, is not medianly positioned with respect to the side edges of the end member shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The spacing of said slot 6I from said side edges corresponds to the respective widths of the cover portions I5a and |51).

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated what may be termed a longitudinal or elongated partition member 44 having a pair of slots 45 extending upwardly from the bottom portion and having the relieved entrance portions a. Medianly positioned with respect thereto is a depending slot 46 similarly relieved as at 46a.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a shorter and` what may be termed a transverse partition member 48 having a plurality of upwardly directed slots or notches 49 therein suitably relieved as at 49a.

The .box is fabricated as follows: The partitions may be shipped flat. The two reinforcing end members may be suitably secured to the end portions Il of the box so that the aperture 55 registers with the aperture 52 and the lower end portions are suitably secured together by stapling, indicated at A in Figs. 1 and 3. The adjacent end members or portions are also stapled together adjacent the handholes or apertures, as indicated 4.at B. This secures the end member 54 to the end portion II. The end member then is caused to assume the form shown in Fig. 4 whereuponl the staples C secure the upper portion of the end portion II to the portion 58 of the member 54. As stated, this blank as thus assembled by the box manufacturer to this degree may be shipped nat to the user.

The user when box fabrication is desired, turns upwardly the two side portions I3 and then turns upwardly the two end portions II, then each of the portions 23 is turned transversely of its supporting portion so that it lies outside of and parallel to the side walls I3. Thereupon the reduced portions 23a are caused to pass through the respective slots 26 so as to extend; inwardly into the box and in substantial parallel relation to the end Walls I I.

In the present disclosure the edge 23d of the extensioni 23a is adapted to lie or terminate immediately adjacent the 'side wall opposite the side through which the extension 23a. projects, all as shown in Fig. 2; When thus assembled., the two elongated partition members 44 ar-e caused to intert the adjacent pairs of overlapping portions 23a within the box. It will be noted that the slots 45 in member 44 are of approximately double the width of the slots 4S in member 48.

After the two elongated members are associated with the partition-forming extensions 23a, the transverse partition member 48 is inserted and another locks with the two partition members 44, all as shown in Fig. 2. It is to be understood that while the box shown in Fig. 2 provides for but twelve cells, it may provide for more by the employment of a greater number of either partitions 44 or 4Q and in some forms of the invention the relationship of the respective partition-forming end portion extensions 23a may be such as illustrated in the copen-ding application, entitled, Self-locking container, led June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,716 by Jesse B. Richards and William R. Van Winkle.

The application last mentioned is peculiarly adapted for the packaging of small ketchup and soft drink bottles. The present invention is peculiarly adapted as will now be pointed out, to the packaging of relatively large capacity bottles which have a relatively large cross-sectional area and a relatively lower height than the standard beer bottle.

The present invention, as stated, is peculiarly adapted.- to accommodate a peculiarly shaped bottle which when packaged `does not lend itself to cover closure if the covers are of identical character. The present invention by having one cover portion approximately double the area of v the other portion, although having one common dimension, permits the two iiaps I1 on the cover por-tions to abut each other in frictional engagement and nest in the respective slots 6I of the reinforcing end portions between the cellular divisions and offset from the median plane of the box parallel thereto.

When it is desired to insure a more permanent character of box, the box manufacturer following ther setting up of the box, may, if desired, apply stapling at the four corners, as indicated by the letter D in Fig. 1.

When the box is filled and closed and is to be handled, the deliveryman inserts four fingers of each hand through the openings 52 and through the openings 55 and such insertion forces inwardly and downwardly the light shields 55a. When the fingers are thus positioned, the tips thereof engage the portion 56 of the end reinforcement which serves as a nger engageable portion that is relatively rigid and also the positioning is such that a non-cutting relationship exists between the nngers and the box. Normally deliverymen handle filled boxes of this character with one hand and when that is done, the deliveryman places the thumb on the flat portion 60 adjacent the aperture into which he inserts his ngers, the backs of the fingers forcing the light shield inwardly and downwardly, and. the tips of the fingers bearing on the upwardly and inwandly inclined ledge portion 56 for support and contact. It will, therefore, be noted that this type of grip is a relatively solid one and the parts when thus gripped have all the advantages that are to be found in what may be termed a wooden beer case.

While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specification and similarly illustrated in the drawing, the same is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character. The various modifications herein illustrated and/or described as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a paper board box including a bottom, wall portions, a pair of similar coversrhingedly carried by one pair of opposite wall portions,

said covers being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described, flap extensions carried by ea-ch cover remote from its hinge connection, and ap extensions carried by the other opposite pair of walls and slotted for cover extension reception, each of one pair of opposite walls being of dual character, the inner and outer portions thereof having registering openings therein for hand reception, and the inner wall having an integral inwardly directed offset portion therein immediately above the apertures for finger contact and box stiffening.

2. In a paper board box including a bottom, wall portions, a pair of similar covers hingedly carried by one pair of opposite wall portions, said covers being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described, flap extensions carried by each cover remote from its hinge connection, and flap extensions carried by the other opposite pair of walls and slotted for cover extension reception, each of one pair of opposite walls being of dual character, the inner and outer portions thereof having registering openings therein for hand reception, and the inner Wall having an integral inwardly directed offset portion therein immediately above the apertures for finger contact and box stiifening, the inwardly offset portion being V-shape in cross-section.

3. In a paper board box including a bottom, Wall portions, a pair of similar covers hingedly carried by one pair of opposite wall portions, said covers being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar Width for the purpose described.

one pair of opposite walls being of dual character, the inner and outer portions thereof having registering openings therein for hand reception, and the inner wall having an integral inwardly directed offset portion therein immediately above the apertures for nger contact and box stiffening, the inwardly offset portion being V-shape in cross section, with its lower face of larger area than its upper face.

4. In a paper board box, the combination of a bottom, two opposite sides each having a pair of slits therein, the slits in opposite sides being in alignment, two intermediate sides, and lateral extensions from each side edge of the intermediate sides initially 'transverse thereto and each extending through a first-mentioned side slit and -terminating within the box adjacent the opposite side thereof, thereby forming two substantially double parallel partitions within the box, and partitions in the box substantially parallel to the slit sides and having interlocking connection with the several intermediate side extensions within the box for cellular formation therein.

5. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition of cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom.

6. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition of cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, and by the addition of slotted ap extensions on the sides intermediate the cover-supporting sides, the slots receiving the cover flap extensions when the cover portions are closed.

7. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition' of cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including nap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, said cover portions being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described.

8. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition of cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, said cover portions being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described, and by the addition of slotted flap extensions on the sides intermediate the cover supporting sides, the slots receiving the cover fiap extensions when the cover portions are closed.

9. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by one pair of side walls being of dual character with the inner portion of each including.

`tion for hand insertion, the offset portion constituting a finger support, and cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom.

10. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by one pair of side Walls being of dual character with the inner portion of each including an integral inwardly directed offset portion for box stiffening, each dual wall having registering apertures therein and adjacent the offset portion for hand insertion, the offset portion constituting a finger support, and cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, and slotted flap extensions on the sides intermediate the cover supporting sides, the slots receiving the lcover flap extensions when the cover portions are closed.

11. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by one pair oi side walls being of dual character with the inner portion of each including an integral inwardly directed offset portion for box stiffening, each dual wall having registering apertures therein and adjacent the offset portion for hand insertion, the offset portion constituting a finger support, and cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, said cover portions being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described.

12. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by one pair of side walls being of dual character with the inner portion of each including an integral inwardly directed off-set portion for box stiffening, each dual wall having registering apertures therein and adjacent the offset portion for hand insertion, the offset portion constituting a finger support, and cover portions hinged to each of two opposite sides and including flap extensions at the ends remote therefrom, said cover portions being substantially of the same length but of dissimilar width for the purpose described, and slotted flap extensions on thesides intermediate the cover supporting sides, the slots receiving the cover flap extensions when the cover portions are closed.

13. In a paper board box, a double thickness end wall including an outer wall apertured for hand reception and an inner wall secured thereto and apertured for hand reception, the apertures registering, a portion of the inner Wall above the aperture being directed inwardly into the box for stiiening the same and providing a nger support for carrying the same, the box having sides with partial covers hinged thereto, each terminating in a ap extension opposite the hinge support and of less length than hinge connection, and the inner wall including a slotted flap, the slot thereof receiving both extensions when the covers are closed, the partial covers and the inner wall slotted :flaps having lapping arrangement for complete box closure.

14. A device as defined by claim 13, characterized by each end Wall stifening portion comprising an integral portion having one part directed therefrom and another and connected part directed toward the portion and in reinforcing relation thereto and extending across the portion above the aperture therein for the lo purpose described.

ERNEST JOHN CREEK. 

